CLEANING YOUR TOOLS
Clean your tools as they are working by just gently wiping them against a cloth or
paper towel while the foam is in a melted state. If you feel the need to clean them
even further, you can clean them while they are cold with steel wool.
CHANGING A BROKEN CUTTING WIRE
CAUTION: First unplug the tool.
SCROLL TABLE wires come precut with connectors on both ends. Remove both broken
pieces. Slip a new wire through the slit in the table surface and slip the connector
over the bottom screw. Pull the flexible arm down and slip the top connector over
the top screw. The tension of the arm will hold the wire in place.
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
SCULPTING TOOL wire replacements are cut to length. Use the Pro Sculpting wire, cat
#006P, or the finer #006 wire with the Pro Power. Space the arms 5.5-7” inches apart,
never shorter. Wrap the end of the new wire twice around the slot at the end of each
arm. Stretch the wire tightly, and crimp both arms at wrap to make a good contact.
Only use the Crafters replacement wire (cat#006) when powering the Sculpting Tool
with the Crafters Power Supply. Using the Pro wire with the Crafters Power Supply will
overheat and ruin the power supply.
Congratulations! You have entered a new realm of creativity.
We hope you enjoy many hours with your new Hot Wire Foam Factory Tools.
Call us toll free at 866-735-9255 if you have any questions
about the use of our tools.
PRO POWER & TOOLS
FREEHAND ROUTER blades are bolted onto the ends of the tool. Never shorten blades.
CAUTION: These tools use a special high resistance wire. Using any other kind of wire will
short out your unit. Use only factory supplied wire. Shortening a cutting wire will cause
the wire to become extremely hot, and will overheat and ruin your power supply.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
GENERAL
□ Check to see that your tool is plugged into the power supply properly and that
the power supply is plugged into the wall. If you have a multi or variable heat
power supply, make sure that the unit is turned on. Make sure the switch on
your tool is in the “on” position.
□ If you are plugging your power supply into a surge protector or power strip,
make sure the surge protector or power strip is turned on.
□ Check to make sure the cord hasn’t been melted or cut.
HOT KNIVES
□ If the tip is glowing, then use a flat nose pliers (non-serrated) to recrimp the
crimped tip of the knife blade. Blades are only replaceable at the factory.
FREEHAND ROUTER
□ Make sure the nuts on the shapeable blade are tight.
□ Make sure the nuts where the arms meet the handle are tight.
SCULPTING TOOL
□ Make sure the nuts where the arms meet the handle are tight.
□ When attaching the wire to the Sculpting Tool arms, make sure it is wrapped
tightly. If you’re using the Pro Sculpting Tool wire, you may want to use a flat
nose pliers (non-serrated) and crimp the wire after you have wrapped it to
ensure a solid contact.
□ Make sure the hot wire is never shorter than 5.5”. If the wire is shorter than 5.5”, it
will short out the power supply.
WEBSITE TIPS AND GALLERY
The Hot Wire Foam Factory website is filled with tips and projects contributed by
our foam artists and hobbyists from all over the world.
Visit our extensive Artist Gallery and FAQs.
www.HotWireFoamFactory.com
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
When using Electric Tools, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce
the risk of fire, electric shock, and personal injury, or death including the following:
1.
2.
Read all instructions.
Use Hot Wire tools only for their intended use. Use only with polystyrene and
polyethylene foams. Ask the manufacturer of the foam you plan to cut to make sure
there are no health or safety hazards when cutting their foam with hot wire tools.
3. Use only in well ventilated areas. Open nearby windows or doors, or use an
exhaust fan. If you see or smell smoke coming from the foam, turn the heat
control knob down to the proper melting temperature.
4. Wear eye protection at all times the Hot Wire tools are plugged in.
5. Do not allow cord to touch hot surfaces. Never carry tool by cord or yank it to
disconnect from outlet. Do not allow cords to touch the cutting wires or knife- this
may short them and produce fire or electric shock.
6. Close adult supervision is necessary for any tool being used by or near children.
Unplug Power Supply before leaving it unattended.
7. When not in use, tools should be stored in a dry place, out of reach of children.
8. Don’t expose electrical tools to rain. Don’t use electrical tools in damp or wet
locations. Prevent body contact with grounded surfaces. For example: pipes,
or radiators.
9. Do not operate Hot Wire tools in the presence of explosive and/or flammable
fumes or materials.
10. Burns can occur from touching the hot cutting wire when it is at normal operating
temperature. The Engraving Tool stays very hot for several minutes after the tool is
turned off. To reduce risk of burns never touch any metal parts of a hot tool. Never
set tools down while they are turned on, as they can cause a fire and short out.
11. Disconnect power cord when changing cutting wireT. Follow the instructions for
proper replacement of cutting wires.
12. Cutting wires are the only user serviceable parts. Only use special factory provided
cutting wires. Replacing with the wrong kind of wire will ruin your unit, and could
cause a fire. For any other repair or adjustment return your unit to the factory.
Inspect your unit periodically for worn or broken parts.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
UNIVERSAL SINGLE-HEAT PRO POWER
Plug in your Pro Power Station. Some countries require an adapter,
which is provided, to plug into their wall receptacle. Plug the tool you
have selected into the output plug. An adapter comes with every unit
which allows you to plug the tools with the smaller plugs into the output
receptacle. Turn on the switch on the tool handle and start cutting. Be
sure to unplug the power supply from the wall when finished.
UNIVERSAL MULTI-HEAT PRO POWER
Plug in your Pro Power Station. Some countries require an adapter,
which is provided, to plug into their wall receptacle. Plug the
tool you have selected into the output plug. An adapter
comes with every unit which allows you to plug the tools
with the smaller plugs into the output receptacle. Make
sure the switch on the Pro Power Supply is in the off position.
Turn on the rocker switch on the cord. Turn on the switch on the tool handle. Starting
with the lowest temperature keep moving the switch to the next hotter position until the
desired heat is reached. When you are done cutting turn off tool, power supply and cord
switches. This power supply has a special overload protection and will simply stop working
if your tool short circuits. It will instantly restart when the problem with the tool is corrected.
VARIABLE-HEAT PRO POWER STATION
Plug in your Pro Power Station. Plug the tool you have selected into one of
the two receptacles in the Power Station. The Freehand Router, Pro Knife,
and 3D Scroll Tables plug into the big black receptacle marked “Pro Tool.”
The Sculpting Tool, 4” Knife, Engraver, Mini and Original Scroll Table plug
into the smaller receptacle marked “Craft Tool.” Only one tool works at a
time. Gently slide a piece of scrap foam against the cutting wire of your Hot
Wire Tool. Slowly turn the heat control dial on the Power Station clockwise
toward the “HOT” position until the wire cuts easily into the foam. If it begins
to smoke, turn the dial back toward the “WARM” position. Be patient, never
turn the heat up too high, and do not push too hard against the cutting wire. If hairs form
turn the heat up or down. Always turn the dial counterclockwise until the control dial
makes a click when you are done cutting, turning the unit off. Unplug Power Station before leaving unit unattended. Requires voltage converter in countries using 220V outlets.
Resetting the Fuse: Let your Pro Power cool down, unplug the power cord from the wall
and then plug it back in to reset the internal fuse.
CUTTING SPEED & TEMPERATURE SETTING
Be patient, do not push too hard against the cutting wire. When cutting at the right
speed the cutting wire or blade never touches the foam, it just melts it in its path. If hairs
form you are probably cutting too fast, or cutting a very dense foam.
SCULPTING TOOL & FREEHAND ROUTER
These are creative tools for freehand scroll cutting, sculpting and carving. Making realistic hills and mountains has
never been easier. The wire blades can be curved or
bent for complex cutting. Turn off the heat control switch
and unplug the Tool when bending the wire. Making
sharp bends in the wire will limit the wire’s life, although
replacement wire is inexpensive. The Freehand Router
allows use of a heavier wire, which works better for carving.
Never shorten the Sculpting Tool wire to less than 5.5” from post to
post. Never shorten the Freehand Router Blade. Shortening or bending
the wire far enough around to touch itself will overheat and ruin your
unit and will cause the wire to become extremely hot. Never set tools on
metal while turned on. Use the Sculpting Tool Wire Tensioner accessory
for making straighter cuts.
PRECISION & LONG ENGRAVING TOOLS
Versatile freehand tools used for sculpting, shaping, holes, writing, drawings, imprinting and much more. Perfect for inscribing bricks, blocks, stones,
words, and other shapes for detailed looking walls, abutments, portals,
slats, and signs. Takes about 30 seconds to heat up and remains hot for a
few minutes after turning off.
ORIGINAL HOT SCROLL TABLE
Cuts accurate straight edges, strips, angles, curves, cylinders, cones
and more. Simple adjustment for making angle cuts. World’s best
tool for modeling buildings, walls, columns, signs, slicing slats, and
almost anything that is made with expensive wood cutting scroll
tables.
To make angular cuts, loosen the big wingnut that holds the
silver arm and swing the arm left or right until the wire is at the
desired angle, then retighten. A Traveling Fence Kit is available for
this tool for making straight and angled cuts, cylinders, and cones.
The Deluxe 24 and Pro 16 3D Tables come with their own manuals.
4” & PRO 8” OR 6” HOT KNIFE
These work like combination hand scroll saws and power drills. Cut in any
direction with fast clean precision. Always let the heat do the cutting.
Force will not make cutting any faster, and will cause blades to break.
The blades are replaceable at the factory only. Use extra caution
when using these tools as they become extremely hot. The new
Pro 6” Knife cannot be used with the older Variable Pro Powers that
have a visible fuse.
LIMITED WARRANTY
This product is warranted for non commercial use within the fifty states of the USA and the
District of Columbia as follows: For 90 days from the original date of purchase, HWFF INC. will,
at its option repair or replace a defective unit free of charge, if the unit is defective due to an
original manufacturer’s defect.
This warranty covers normal use and does not cover damage which occurs in shipment or
failure which results from alteration, accident, misuse, abuse or neglect. Except as herein expressly set forth, HWFF INC. shall not, under any circumstances be responsible for any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential damage resulting from the use of the equipment. The
consumers’ sole remedy shall be such repair or replacement as is expressly provided above.
SHOULD YOUR UNIT REQUIRE SERVICE, please call us at 805-735-9255 for a return authorization
number and further instructions.
WEBSITE TIPS AND GALLERY
The Hot Wire Foam Factory website is filled with tips and projects
contributed by our foam artists and hobbyists from all over the world.
Visit our extensive Artist Gallery and FAQs.
www.HotWireFoamFactory.com
216 East Laurel Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436